The Future of Trusted Linux Computing

ttttt writes "MadPenguin.org tackles the idea of Trusted Computing in its latest column. According to author Matt Hartley, the idea of TC is quite reasonable; offering a locked-down environment offers several advantages to system administrators with possibly troublesome users. 'With the absence of proprietary code in the mix users will find themselves more inclined to trust their own administrators to make the best choices ... And so long as any controlled environment is left with checks and balances [like] the option for withdrawal should a school or business wish to opt out, then more power to those who want a closed off TC in an open source world." LWN.net has an older but slightly more balanced look at the TC approach.

Comments

Who is YOU? Non Free is the real problem.

[Erris]

I won't ever accept NOT being the absolute owner of my own computers

That's good, but at work it's not your computer is it? The level of control you have over your computer at work is proportional to the intelligence of your employer. If you are unfortunate enough to work for a big dumb company, you will be fired for exercising your software freedom in any way. A less stupid company that uses free software will be able to give you the tools you need to get your job done without giving you complete control of your computer. Some workers need more freedom than others. Ultimately, the things the company needs to protect should only be accessible by people and machines that won't leak. Figuring out what really needs to be protected is the tricky part, but all of it should drive every company to free software.

The real problem with "trusted" computing is that it can force use of untrustworthy software and defeat it's original purpose. No company should ever trust it's real secrets with non free software. Control is lost when you have to "trust" a third party that keeps secrets from you. If you are using Windoze, you might as well email the information to Bill Gates.

What kind of secrets does your company actually have? There's customer information, location and movement of valuables, business plans and a host of other information that can be harmful to divulge.

None of this is an excuse to cut into your software freedom at home or even at work. It's just a problem of collective action and responsibility. When you work for a company, there are suddenly a lot of noses at the end of your arm.